At the 2026 Milan-Cortina d'Ampezzo Winter Olympics, Kim Jae-yeol, President of the International Luge Federation (ISU) and IOC member, was elected to the IOC Executive Board. Simultaneously, Won Yun-jong, a Korean bobsleigh legend, was elected as an IOC Athlete Representative. This marks a significant increase in Korea's influence within the international sports community, with two Korean representatives now holding key positions. Kim's election to the Executive Board, which oversees crucial decisions including Olympic host city selection, is expected to benefit Korea's bid for the 2036 Summer Olympics. Won Yun-jong, the first winter sports athlete from Korea to be elected as an IOC Athlete Representative, aims to support athletes and promote their rights within the Olympic movement.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is facing criticism from Ukraine following the selection of a Russian national, Anastasia Kucherova, to carry the Ukraine placard during the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games. The Ukrainian government has demanded an investigation and apology, citing a violation of Olympic principles and symbolic insensitivity given the ongoing conflict. This incident follows a previous controversy where a Ukrainian athlete was disqualified for a helmet displaying war-related imagery. The situation is further complicated by the International Paralympic Committee's (IPC) decision to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete under their national flags, prompting Ukrainian officials to boycott the Paralympic Games.

Former Korean bobsleigh star Yoon-jong Won has been elected to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Athletes' Commission, becoming the first winter sports athlete from Korea to hold the position. He secured the top spot in the election, earning 1176 votes and will serve an eight-year term until the 2034 Winter Olympics. This follows Seung-min Ryu (table tennis) and Moon Dae-sung (taekwondo), and alongside Kim Jae-yeol (ISU President), Korea now has two IOC members. Won, who won a silver medal at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics, has vowed to represent athletes and advocate for their rights within the IOC.

Casey Wasserman, president of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games organizing committee, is facing mounting pressure to resign following the release of the 'Epstein Files.' The documents reveal email correspondence between Wasserman and Ghislaine Maxwell, an associate of Jeffrey Epstein. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and several other political leaders have publicly called for his resignation, citing distraction from the Games' preparations. Despite the controversy, the organizing committee and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) have reaffirmed their support for Wasserman, citing his crucial role in planning and funding the event.

At least 65 Iranian athletes, coaches, and referees have been confirmed killed during a crackdown in January 2026, prompting widespread condemnation and calls for the International Olympic Committee to take a stronger stance. The events have led to demonstrations abroad and an open letter from Iranian athletes urging the IOC to allow them to compete under the Olympic flag. Concerns are mounting over political interference and the IOC's continued engagement with Iranian sporting bodies linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The election of Soraya Aghaei to the IOC has also drawn scrutiny.